Showing posts with label meeting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meeting. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Book Review: Never Eat Alone




                                               
           Jim Pagiamtzis Review:
          "An amazing book to read from beginning to end. He share stories on the power of networking effectively. Impactfull strategies and tips to create your own network of influencers"
   
    


              Do you want to get ahead in life? Climb the ladder to personal success?

The secret, master networker Keith Ferrazzi claims, is in reaching out to other people. As Ferrazzi discovered in early life, what distinguishes highly successful people from everyone else is the way they use the power of relationships—so that everyone wins.
In Never Eat Alone, Ferrazzi lays out the specific steps—and inner mindset—he uses to reach out to connect with the thousands of colleagues, friends, and associates on his contacts list, people he has helped and who have helped him. And in the time since Never Eat Alone was published in 2005, the rise of social media and new, collaborative management styles have only made Ferrazzi’s advice more essential for anyone hoping to get ahead in business.

The son of a small-town steelworker and a cleaning lady, Ferrazzi first used his remarkable ability to connect with others to pave the way to Yale, a Harvard M.B.A., and several top executive posts. Not yet out of his thirties, he developed a network of relationships that stretched from Washington’s corridors of power to Hollywood’s A-list, leading to him being named one of Crain’s 40 Under 40 and selected as a Global Leader for Tomorrow by the Davos World Economic Forum.

Ferrazzi’s form of connecting to the world around him is based on generosity, helping friends connect with other friends. Ferrazzi distinguishes genuine relationship-building from the crude, desperate glad-handing usually associated with “networking.” He then distills his system of reaching out to people into practical, proven principles. Among them:

Don’t keep score: It’s never simply about getting what you want. It’s about getting what you want and making sure that the people who are important to you get what they want, too.
“Ping” constantly: The ins and outs of reaching out to those in your circle of contacts all the time—not just when you need something.
Never Eat Alone: The dynamics of status are the same whether you’re working at a corporation or attending a social event—“invisibility” is a fate worse than failure.
Become the “King of Content”: How to use social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook to make meaningful connections, spark engagement, and curate a network of people who can help you with your interests and goals.

In the course of this book, Ferrazzi outlines the timeless strategies shared by the world’s most connected individuals, from Winston Churchill to Bill Clinton, Vernon Jordan to the Dalai Lama.

Chock-full of specific advice on handling rejection, getting past gatekeepers, becoming a “conference commando,” and more, this new edition of Never Eat Alone will remain a classic alongside alongside How to Win Friends and Influence People for years to come.

 Buy book

Saturday, April 1, 2017

Journey to getting to a meeting on March 30th


          I had a meeting at 2:00pm on March 30th at 230 Signet Drive

           So I went to Google Maps to plot my trip. (I always do!)

        I left my place around 12:15pm to give me some flex time to get there little early and prepare.

          It began with trip on the Bloor line (Line2)  to St. George station (Line 1) North to Wilson Station where I would take a bus West for 30 minute ride to my destination.

            The journey got little crazy when I got to Wilson station and took the wrong bus going east to York Mills Station. When I got to the station I spoke to the drive and he said "you went to the wrong level, everyone does it!"  so I made a call to my contact to tell her of the situation and it went straight to voice mail. It was about 1:09pm.

         So I took the same bus back to Wilson station and went to the Upper level and took the correct bus west.  We got about 10 minutes from the station and the bus stopped and drive announced."can everyone skip over the bus infront please"

         So we all shift to the other bus. We continued the journey. I reached the corner of Weston and Ormont at excatly 2:00pm!

           Then I ran the long block and reached the front door at 2:05pm. I spoke to the contact and he said "I didn't know you were coming!"  wow so I was early!

            The meeting went well and descended back to the bus stop back to the city.

      About 15 minutes later I get a call from my contact and she says 'they made a quick decision your hired! You start on monday!

           I went back to Wilson Station and treated myself to Mr. Big and Kickstart drink

     Moral of the Story: You may be late and but the universe has your back and being early is what was needed.
             





Jim Pagiamtzis at Wilson Station





Celebration Mr. Big and Kickstart drink
                                        

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Event Review:The Hot House for BCX January 2017 meeting


    
       It was great to have my first meeting of the year with BCX group in Toronto.

  The HotHouse Restaurant and Bar has amazing staff and food

    Cheryl Rankin shared insigths on the importance of Health and Business in 2017 and ways to manage and measure it.

       
 





                                        

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Journey to becoming a reporter


  It has been an interesting journey from writing articles, leveraging them to speak and share with various groups to writing spotlight features and interview amazing professionals and entrepreneur in my network.

 My fellow blog brother Patrick Bizindavyi who writes The Journeyman Stories Link to his blog (must read blog) has shared numerous stories over the years about opportunities and people his has met in his journey.

 Last week I had an evening that was very memorable and funny that I wanted to share with everyone. Let's reverse history for a few paragraphs.

I  have shared many times in articles and conversations that you everyday you shake hands and meet people how become connected with you with online and offline.

  Last year I met the Andre Sooneste Founder of Andium link. We met a couple of networking events and had many similar interests from, Online Marketing, networking  and strategic alliances expertise.

  Couple of months ago Andre Sooneste had asked if I was interested in assisting with an for start up companies that was based in United States, They were planning there first event in Toronto and he was looking for few people to assist with the evening. I agreed (lets remember this later)

 The event was happening on Wednesday June 4 at the Cube Rooftop on Queen and Peter in the heart of the entertainment district in Toronto. Late on Friday I got an email regarding a meeting that was being held on Tuesday evening at 6pm at a local library, I email him back and advised him that I would be able to make the meeting. So he decided to have a Skype call on Monday at 3pm. I agreed (remember this)

 We had that shortest skype meeting ever, 5 minutes!

 The day had arrived and I decided to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful weather were having in Toronto that day. (we deserved it after the winter we had!) As I walked south it was great to see all the amazing landmarks in our great city from CN Tower, Citytv building and numbers amazing restaurants.

 I go there little earlier than I though and went on little extended walk and saw the amazing preparations that were happening for the upcoming MMVA 2014 Video Awards happening on June 14th Learn more

  As I returned back to the venue I was greeted by security and was escorted up to the rooftop patio. It was amazing space. The exhibitors were beginning to set up and support staff were getting everything ready.

  Andre Sooneste  had just arrive with clipbard in hand and ready to go.

   We great each other and then he says " change of plans, your are not doing registration you will interview  people"

  I was speechless (doesn't happen offten) " I said, well okay. what questions am I going to ask them?"

  Andres Sooneste responds " You interview people all the time,  you figure it out!"

  He was right I have in the past, but I had been prepared!

  Few minutes later I get introduced to Alex the videographer of the evening and we had our first meeting.

  I said " Nice to meet you,look forward to great evening"  next thing he hands me a microphone and  says "lets get started"

   After getting over that initiation I was bit nervous and more excited to get started.

     Wendy Ladd had this quote "Opportunity is everywhere" and I was said it to people and next thing you know I am experiencing the opportunity.

    We got started interviewing the startups where exhibiting for the evening. We did the first interview which was good but not amazing, the interviewee was excited and shared great insights on his power saving business.

    We continued and interviewing the second company. After we were done Alex says "doing great so far,one thing the conversation you had at the end of the interview was awesome. I will keep recording'

  I said  "great your the video guy and I am the talker"  He was amused!

  The night continued and we finished interviewing at the startup companies, the organizers and even got some testimonials!

  As it began to get dark Alex shared that he another surprise to share he said  "I have a drone"

  He left and a few minutes later a drone was hovering overhead, it was papparazi's delight. Everyone got there phones out and began to take pictures!

     Look forward to sharing the amazing interviews in the coming weeks.

 Moral of the Story: You may agree to do something and be excited about it. The surprise is occurs when you finally attend and get the true gift of opportunity to share your expertise.





                              
Andres Sooneste getting ready



The drone hovering over us

Jim Pagiamtzis at the Softlayer banner



                                                      
CN Tower and Condos in the distance

CN Tower behind the condos

                                  
MMVA 2014 preparations

MMVA 2014 preparations

MMVA Preparations

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Business Over Breakfast Clubs of North America: Look to start a group in Toronto, if interested reach out to Kensel Tracy




                                                      

Kensel J. Tracy at National Franchise and Opportunity show in Toronto January 12,2014
                            

        

                                                     

                                                     

                                                 

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Toronto Entrepreneur Conference; Jim Pagiamtzis meets Bruce Croxon


In my journey of networking I have bumped in some amazing people. It was great speak to Bruce Croxon briefly during the lunch break. 



Jim Pagiamtzis and Bruce Croxon at Toronto Entrepreneur Conference

 
Some information on Bruce Croxon Entrepreneurial venture

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Networking Event yielding results!


 It was Tuesday March 5th and I had got an invitation from Vito Marchese Founder of Whiteboard Studios, also has great website www.thenetworker.ca. He does event where he attracts 300 attendees for full day tradeshow and networking event.

 This particular evening he held a eventing event where he was expecting about 30 entrepreneurs. I had a event to attend the next morning in Newmarket to speak at Meet up group that I am part of and I was thinking of not attending, until I got an email from Vito Marchese stating he was looking forward to me attending the and event. In the end I had to go!

 It was held in the Yonge and Sheppard area at the Milestone restaurant, I had never been and was looking forward to the experience. It's a very busy area with lots of condominiums being build which is changing the landscape of  the area very quickly. Have numerous friends who live in the area, I organize ans speak at an event that is held six time a year in the area.

As I got to the Milestones entrance I was greeted by Vito Marchese and was given my name tag entered the networking area. There was a grand prize of raptors tickets for the evening so everyone had submitted their business cards.

As I began to mix and mingle with the crowd I met fellow entrepreneur Maureen Shortt,(bookeeper) we had connected at a leadership seminar and other events in the past year. I was surprised to see her due to the busy tax season that was upon us. Maureen has built her successful business mainly through referrals.

I continued to network when I met  David Gargaro an Consulting Editor, we had great conversation on the importance of having a great editor. I had my challenges with that issue with some poorly editing newsletter few months ago!

 Next I met Laurie Taylor from Ferret Card, a mobile loyalty program that sounded very intriguing.

The last person I met was Karen Grant she a speaker and author of an upcoming book The Million Dollar Image-How to step into a more powerful persona, being in the same field we had a great conversation regarding the book industry and as it turned out I know her publisher Gerry Robert from Black Card Marketing. I had been in mastermind group with his partner Jean Guy Francoeur in 2011.

 The evening came to an end and prizes were drawn, unfortunately I didn't win the raptor tickets!


                                    Upcoming book: The Million Dollar Image
 


   Few days later I got a call from Sudip Mukarajee the organizer for the Canada Job Expo Learn more.I have be recommending speakers for the seminar portion for the show in the past 3 years. We had an open spot available for the event, we need someone to speak! I was pressed into action and advised Sudip that will get back to him in 48hrs!

 I picked up the phone and called Karen Grant and spoke to her briefly regarding the opportunity to speak, after the call I email quick synopsis about the event and speaking opportunity and the event. Advised to connect with the organizer to confirm if was interested in speaking.

 On Monday March 11th I checked the website and saw that she in the speakers lineup! I was excited to make it happen.

 Wednesday March 13th

 The day had arrived and was look for speaking and serving as the events emcee for the day. I also two new speakers to share Fatima Omar Khamissa Learn more on the Power of LinkedIn and Aline Ayoub Learn more share on HR Consultant. Bonnie Chan Learn more share her G.R.O.W system.

 It was busy day we had lots of attendees and the seminar room was busy!

 The day was going well and I had time to sit down and listen to some of the speakers share. Karen Grant did here presentation how important your image in your daily life is. Near the end she shared picture of her upcoming cover of her book when she said " I am currently looking to interview professional with expertise on mentorship, coaching and other topics for the back end of my book"

That got my attention and made a note of that!

  Karen had another commitment after her talk and could not stay, I thank her for coming and expressed interest in learning more about the opportunity to participate in her book.


   On  March 26th we met at Starbucks at Front and Jarvis for a coffee to learned more about her book and journey of success.  She asked for permission to record our conversation and I obliged. I shared with her my journey of how I met my mentors and the impact they had made on my life. I had email her a copy of my book How to Attract a Mentor on Business, Life and Success and video clip of talk that did few years ago. She was intrigued and impressed with the success I had achieved.

We had a great conversation and look forward to reading her book which is coming out in July 2013, so stay tuned. 


                                               Karen Grant and Jim Pagiamtzis at Canada Job Expo
                                   

 Moral of the story: You just don't who your going to be an event and what will happen next!


Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Spotlight: Daisy Hsieh Founder of Ucreate Studio


  It was October 2012 and I was speaking for the 1st time at the SOHO event in Toronto on Social Media Made Simple. It was great experience to share strategies with entrepreneurs and professionals on how they can leverage social media effectively in the 21st Century.


At the after-party had a great time networking and meeting vendors and participants from the event.

During the event I met Daisy Hsieh founder of Ucreate Studio, she was taking photographs of  the event. I was with my friend Brett Deguire and Randy Ramadhin  who are both real estate investors. It was picture time and we took lots of pictures with our camers and Daisy's  camera.

After the event I got pictures from Daisy Hsieh few days later and was amazing of clarity and quality of the pictures. I invited her to numerous event in November and December.



 Image Branding- What does you image say about you?
Click here to read article

 Check out my new site
 Click here to view website


                                   Jim Pagiamtzis and Daisy Hsieh  at SOHO October 2012


                                                          Photo for 21connections.ca


                                                       New website

                                                             New Business cards

 Some of the comment made on my Facebook page:

            Bonnie Chan Snazzy...

Friday, December 21, 2012

December 21st was a huge success( not for the Mayans unfortunately)


The anticipation had  been growing that the world would suffer its demise on Dec 21st,2012. The Mayans has stated this and many had believed them.

 It was Thursday night and I literally couldn't sleep. I turned on my iPad  check out the my Twitter feed to see if the world is about to end.

41 years on this earth and we would be wipped out. I have accomplished a fair amount but there was so much more to achieve!

 I  played  my favourite video game Catapulit King for a while, then I played Golf game, time passed and I forgot about the world ending.. Went back to my Twitter feed and there were some great comment being made with the hashtag #mayans (check them out)

It was 2:00 and that was it. Lights out!

I was supposed to get up at 8:00am to get my day started. That didn't happen.Got up at 10:00am and I was behind the eight ball already. Had few task to get done and I had to catch up.

Had great Facebook conversation with Olga Jenny regarding the holidays and congratulating her on reach a new level in her business.

I got some administrative work done on my computer. Post my quote of the day from Duane Browne

 I have no special talent I am just passionately curious - Albert Einstein

If you want those you care about to also receive these daily quotes, send them to http://www.poolofwealth.com/



Have an inspired day filled with passion, joy and wealth!

Then I got ready to go to the gym to workout. I was supposed to get my passport done today, but rescheduled it until next week.

I got a text from my good friend Joe Collins to have a usual Friday talk at Tim Horton's in Toronto at Victoria and Dundas (you can find us their usually at 1:30pm) having our success chat

Headed to the gym which was in the area (Extreme Fitness) which I have been going for many years. 
Sam Elahmar (General Manager) I have known for many years since he was at the Bay and Bloor location.

Few weeks back he had offered to look at my membership to see if you could do something about, I accepted. Due to his crazy schedule we had not be able to sit down to discuss.

Today was my day I reached out and spoke with him for a few minutes before heading out. I gave him my membership number and he said he would let me know.

Head upstairs to talk with Joe Collins. We had an amazing conversation about accountability, our achievements and our goals for 2013. We had read many similar books over the years and enjoy hearing his perspectives.  It 's a busy place with lots of Ryerson students everywhere!

We finished our talk and I head back to the office to get some more work done. Weaving in and out of traffic is fun most days. Today was little crazy it was raining and lots of holiday shoppers. Saw some great headline in the newspapers. "World will end today"

Looks like someone believed the Mayans.

When I got back I noticed I had message on my phone.

Check out the message and it was Sam Elahmar from Extreme Fitness who said "Call me back quick"

I got his number and called him few minutes later.

I spoke to the receptionist and ask who I want to speak to I said "Sam Elahmar he is expecting my call"

she says " what it regarding"

I said "regarding my membership, he called me and left a message I was just there half-hour ago"

She said "hold on"

It seem like 5 minutes, but I waited.

Finally I heard a voice "hi Jim how are you? how much do you pay a month?" he says

I said "$90"

He says" okay, this is what I'll do, I can make it $50, you have be coming for years (which I have 5 different clubs) 

I said " thank you, what do you want?"

he said " vodka" 

I said  "Done"

He said "Happy Holidays"

I said " You to Sam Thank you"

* I also sent him a Holiday Card  few hours later. (link below if you want to learn more about it)


I have received numerous e-cards via email in the past few days. It's a great gesture and I really do appreciate it. 

Terry Holdershaw from Scotial Entertaiment send me great one with rapping Santa Claus

I also got my monthly email from Marc Gordon for Fourword media

Check it out below: Yoda and Santa Claus make an appearance
http://ht.ly/givEb

I am a avid book read and currently reading book by Stuart Knight called You should have asked, The Art of Powerful Conversation. (been an amazing read)

Headed back to my computer to send out some Holiday Card and Thank you cards via online tool I have been using. This has been exciting system to use.


It has been an awesome day, the last thing I did was I played a Lotto Max ticket for $5 dollars with Encore.
50 million up from grabs plus additional 50 1- millions dollars. Stay tuned.... 

Moral of story:  Not sure what the Mayans were thinking or doing years ago, perhaps they got bored and just figured they wanted to mess with us down the road. In the end will leave end of world epics to Hollywood. We should enjoy our journey and make everyday the best day we want it to be!




Check out the links below on how to do the cards
https://www.sendoutcards.com/getconnectednow/

If interested after watching the video email me and jim@pagiamtzis.com to set up a walk though